MS. BASKETBALL OF ILLINOIS

Ms. Basketball of Illinois | Bolingbrook's Ariel Massengale: She is a champion

March 31, 2011|By Colleen Kane | Chicago Tribune reporter

Massengale demonstrated her evolution into one of the state's most influential players when she seized control of Bolingbrook's McDonald's Shootout victory over Montini on Jan. 17 with 20 points, six rebounds and four assists — a game she said was her favorite of her career next to the state championships. And she showed it in a different way when she tied a state title-game record with 11 assists in the Raiders' victory over Zion-Benton on March 5.

"Freshman and sophomore year, she was looking to score," Smith said. "I was like, 'You've got the ball 90 percent of the time. I need you to make great decisions and be that unselfish player. Don't worry about scoring, be a leader by getting your teammates involved.' And she did that.

"Her senior year really showed her growth. She trusted her teammates and she led by example. She led the right way."